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PHILIP HARUM, 

TEE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


-BY- 

GERALD STEWART, 

(Mrs. Mary Lee Berry.) 


I sat me down to think, perchance to dream, 

And by my thoughts to move a slumb’ring world. 
To view with pity all the wrongs of man. 


{ MAY ^ 1892 

\ / 


NEW YORK— ST. LOUIS: ' 

7. 11. BRONN PUBLISHING COMPANY, 






ISO 2. 




COPYRIGHTED 1889. 
BY 



INDORSEMENT. 

St. Louis, March 23, 1892. 

I take great pleasure in recommending “Philip 
Harum, the Nihilist,” to the friends of humanity in 
particular, and the reading public generally. The 
subject matter of the book is a part of the burn- 
ing question of the day, and it is treated by the 
authoress in an exceedingly interesting and instruct- 
ive manner. The charm of the book is the broad 
and thoroughly liberal spirit, the love of fellowman, 
that prevades it ; and on this account alone, if for 
no other, it would deserve a hearty welcome by 
every one who grieves that “man’s inhumanity to 
man makes countless thousands mourn.” I feel 
personally grateful to the gifted authoress for the 
sympathy she displays in the persecuted Russian 
Jew. The book does honor to her head and heart. 

[SIGNED] SAMUEL SALE, 

Rabbi Shaare Emeth. 


FAITHFULLY DEDICATED 

— TO — 

“MY FHIENDS,” 

WHOSE GOOD OPINION WAS MY 
INSPIRATION. 

THE AUTHOR. 


(iii) 












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PREFACE. 


At the present time the eyes of the whole 
world seem to be turned towards Russia, her 
history and romance, her sufferings and her 
wrongs. 

The ‘ ‘Nihilists’ ’ by their super human efforts 
as well as by the slow and measured tread 
by which they are aiming to ameliorate the 
condition of their suffering and abused fellow- 
country men have aroused the sympathy of the 
civilized world. 

The following pages have been written chiefly 
through an abhorrence of the “Jewish perse- 
cutions” in Russia by which the pages of her 
history have been indelibly stamped with the 
most fiendish barbarity. 


(V) 


6 PHILIP HARUM, 

While the names of Sofia Petrovosky, Hart- 
mann, and Komisakoff are given in full and 
accorded their historical position, they are em- 
bellished with some legitimate romance, as is 
the rest of the story, which is written with a 
view to probe the erroneous ideas of the nine- 
teenth century and “arouse a slumb’ring world 
to view with pity all the wrongs of man.” 


PHILIP HARHl, 

THE MHILIST STUDENT. 

CHAPTER I. 

The city of St. Petersburg was astir with 
revolt, an ominous stillness pervaded the atmos- 
phere ; men were rushing to and fro with 
bated breath as if afraid to give the usual 
greeting, and general uneasiness prevailed. 
The Nihilists were becoming bolder every day ; 
already attemps had been made upon the life 

of the Czar, secret conclaves were known to 

(vii) 


8 


PHILIP HARUM, 


be held the most mysterious signs were 
constantly discovered by the police and di- 
vulged by private espionage. 

Turkey which had just passed through 
many serious crises was vanquished in the 
war, and bankrupt and dismembered was in 
a terrible condition, while victorious Russia 
Avas scarcely better off. The people had been 
told that if Constantinople fell into the hands 
of the Russians their success would be in- 
sured; nevertheless Constantinople had not 
fallen nor had one foot of land been gained 
beyond the Danube, and popular discontent 
increased by financial depression, by taxes and 
paper-currency, was beginning to express itself 
in revolutionary measures. The university stu- 
dents of St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Kief, 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


9 


and the assembly of Khartouff demanded a 
constitution, and were rudely arrested and sent 
to Siberia. Salonief had shot at the Emperor ! 
who in order to quiet the panic had called 
Valuief to form a special commission with extra 
powers to crush these Nihilistic proceedings. 
In spite of such arbitrary power, revolutionary 
pamphlets were everywhere circulated. They 
demanded that the people should be delivered 
from the espionage of the police, that the press 
and speech should be free, that professors 
should be allowed to teach unrestrictedly, 
and that amnesty should be granted to all 
political offenders. 

To the arbitrary measures of Gen. Miliutin 
the revolutionary committees called upon the 
army to respond, saying ; ‘ ‘Despotism must 


10 


PHILIP HARUM, 


fall sooner or later, but the crisis may not come 
for years, at the cost of many lives ; it there- 
fore depends upon all honorable and thoughtful 
men in the army to hasten the result. ’ ’ Gen. 
Gurki’s order compelled every household to 
keep a watchman at his door day and night 
to prevent pasting seditious placards, and the 
spreading of revolutionary pamphlets. The cit- 
ies of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kief, Khartouff 
and Odessa were declared to be in a state of 
siege, and the police were authorized to expel 
all persons considered dangerous; thousands 
of conflagrations causing the loss of millions 
of rubles were constantly occurring. The life 
of the Czar was again attempted by the blowing 
up of the railroad and again by boldly under- 
mining the Winter Palace. Alexander was 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


11 


publicly declared to be the personification of 
a cursed despotism and of everything mean 
and blood-thirsty ; his reign was denounced as 
a curse from beginning to end, the liberation 
of the serfs a delusion and a lie. The Nihilistic 
committees still remained active and loudly 
called for a constitution. Such, at the beginning 
of our story was the state of affairs in Kussia, 
and the cause of the general disquietude The 
very atmosphere was rife with rebellion and 
it was almost signing one’s ‘death warrant’ 
to utter a sentiment in the least equivocal. 
The sun had set in a threatening sky, and the 
hearts of the people were shrouded in gloom ; 
The university students were united by a 
secret bond. Their pass-words and signs 
were of the most private nature and bound 


12 


PHILIP IIARUM, 


together the most remote provinces. 

Twilight with its sombre shadow had fallen 
upon the pillars of St. Mark’s and as if hiding 
there to gaze at the passers by, a man of 
stately bearing clad in a coat of sable was 
standing • behind one of the pillars. The snow 
was falling fast, no moon, no stars to enliven 
the night, only the long Kussian twilight which 
lingers until midnight in that northern latitude : 
Many had already passed but not the right one, 
and Alexander Lavinsky was getting cold and 
weary of waiting for the friend he has hoped 
to meet, when with bent form and agile step, 
the long-wished-for figure appeared, and Alex- 
ander jumped down the steps and grasp- 
ing the hand of his friend, the pass-words were 
quickly exchanged, “When did you arrive 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


13 


from Kief?” was the first question of Philip 
Harum ‘‘and what has brought you here? 

Have the guardians of liberty impressed you 
with our dilemma that you have come in the 
nick of time to our aid?” 

“I have just arrived and thought to save 
time by watching here for you, as I knew 
you must take this way to the university.” 

“Well, on to the university, this is no place 
for conversation: the ‘Occults’ tell us there 
are waves of the atmosphere which waft our 
very thoughts to the uttermost parts of the 
earth, and that every word spoken reflects 
its counterpart upon ether to be taken up 
again and used for or against us ! Beware 
then ! Only the pent up walls of our secret 
assembly must reverberate our words and render 


14 


PHILIP HARUM 


them as safe as if lying dormant in our own 
bosoms, unless there is a fourth dimension 
which opens the closed walls and renders them 
as thin air, and permits the ‘Elementaries’ 
those mischievious sprites-to carry our secrets 
to the outside world.” 

“Of this we as yet know nothing, Philip, 
and God forbid we should ever be thus given 
over to the spirits of the air,” 

“Why, what is the matter with you ? Have 
you been studying ‘esoterics.” 

‘ ‘I think our sublunary troubles are at pres- 
ent sufficient ; and only strong arms, brave 
hearts, and gold, sordid gold can help us ; the 
‘Elementaries’ can vanish into thin air, the im- 
material into vapor. It is the material world we 
have now at stake ; our altars, our fire-sides to 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


15 


defend, our wives and sweet-hearts to fight for,” 

“True, Alexander! I am sometimes a 
dreamer, and just now forgot to ask after my 
‘cousin Anna.’ Your noble example in freeing 
your serfs as well as others of the nobles had a 
deal to do with the edict of the Czar. But 
while it made twenty-three millions of peasants 
free, it has created disruption among the 
nobles, the Lords of the land ; and without 
some indemnity they will not be satisfied.” 

“I know it and feel it to be true.” 

“Some, like your self, will view it from 
a sentimental stand-point and be willing to 
make a sacrifice ; but there are always enough 
selfish souls to retard the progress of civili- 
zation.” 

‘ ‘How does my cousin bear the change ? and is 


16 


PHILIP HARUM, 


her patriotism as great as ever?” 

“She is the gem of my household, the guid- 
ing star of my life; it is she that has filled my 
heart with patriotic desires : it is she that has 
kept brightly burning upon our altar the lamps 
of faith, and hope for our bleeding country; 
like the Spartan women she has given me my 
shield and told me ‘to return with it or on it.” 

“A brave woman is my noble cousin! may the 
God of truth and justice save you from the 
latter fate ; but here we are, and you are 
just in time to hear a spirited discussion. 
Some papers from Herzen have arrived, no 
one knows how! and from London he speaks 
to us and fortifies our views with all his 
strength and power.” 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


17 


CHAPTER 11. 

In a small obscure hall in the university of 
“Techniques” were already assembled about a 
dozen of the leading spirits to read and dis- 
cuss the plausibilty of the papers of Herzen 
the patriotic refugee who had taken up his 
abode in London. Filled with zeal for his 
oppressed country, broken hearted over the 
wrongs of his compatriots, he only escaped the 
mines of Siberia by flying in time to England’s 
shores ; and there he was using his talents and 
money in denouncing the autocratic power of 
the Czar of all the Russias, and proclaiming 
the feasibility of establishing a liberal constitu- 
tion, one advocated by every liberal minded 
citizen and urged by the cultured students of 


18 


PHILIP HARUM. 


all the universities. To a man they denounced 
everything that tended to an autocracy. ‘ ‘The 
will of the people,” was the “sobriquet” by 
which they were known and a secret union 
between them and the nobility was suspected. 
A finer, nobler set of men never assembled, 
and with united voices though in under tones, 
they greeted the arrival of Philip Harum and 
his friend well known to them all as a “noble” 
of Kief who had taken the initiative step in 
freeing his serfs. Alexander Lavinski was an 
enthusiastic theorizer. He excelled in planning, 
but left the real work to be done by others. 
He could speak fluently and eloquently ; the 
sound of his voice was more effective than the 
ideas lie advanced. He had the power of convinc- 
ing himself as well as others, that he was full of 
the fire of enthusiasm and that he was ready to 
work for others and be unselfish ; but at heart he 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


19 


was a thorough egotist and could do nothing 
but project great enterprises ; his theories of 
self-sacrifice and loftiness of soul were seen 
to be mere words. To his noble wife Anna 
Lavinski was he indebted for all his qualities 
social or political ; the elevation of her mind, 
the harmony that existed between her heart 
and intellect gave her complete control over 
her apathetic husband, who loved his ease and 
the luxuries of his beautiful home better than 
all else save his lovely wife, her sound under- 
standing and great strength of character as well 
as her contempt for the useless conventionalities 
of life and her conscientious scruples with 
regard to holding the serfs as “chattels” in- 
fluenced him to unite with her in her phil- 
anthropic measures. 

“True love that bids the patriot rise to 
guard his country’s rest, 


20 


PHILIP HAHUM, 


With deeper, mightier fullness thrills in 
woman’s gentle breast.” 

Ivan Melakof rose to speak a few words 
of explanation and to enlighten the company 
as to the situation of their diminished treasury 
and to give a few statistics of their needs and 
expenditures. A brave and noble fellow of the 
university, deeply versed in aU that pertains 
to scholarship, handsome and polished in his 
bearing, there were none who could espouse 
the cause of liberty in more eloquent and 
touching language. His handsome Russian pro- 
file glowed with inspiration, and his noble 
stature over six feet seemed to rise in height 
as he told the wrongs of his unhappy country, 
and asked for redress at the hands of every 
patriot who claimed for himself the ‘‘Father- 
hood of God and the brother-hood of man ; 
W e need, not only hearts of braves, and brains 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


21 


of Csesar, but gold, sordid gold that would 
be worthless without ‘liberty.’ Already the 
jewels of our wives are enshrined in the coffers 
of the money lenders and still we are in need. 
It takes gold to establish our conclaves, to 
promote our secret missive that fly around as if 
by some supernatural agency; it requires money 
to give power, and power to move success.” 
Alexander Lavinski arose and advancing to the 
desk laid thereon a casket of jewels. “Here 
is the offering of my noble wife who has taken 
a vow to wear no more jewels, to use no 
more luxuries, until every lacerated heart 
in Russia is made happy by a ukase of eternal 
amnesty, and a free constitution.” “Be it for- 
ever, said she, I will live and die a martyr to 
political wrongs, and the injustice of the 
civilized world.” Melakof received the casket 
and laying it on his breast as if to consecrate 


22 


rillLIP HAKUM 


it with his heart’s aspirations — “noble woman 
said he, thou art one more of the great army 
of martyrs!” 

“Philip Harum it is your province to 
take these at once and in the ‘Jewish quar- 
ter’ where you have gone before turn 
them into rubles ; your old friend Isaac Zarinski 
has the money and loves the jewels which he 
can sell at double at any time.” Thus they 
parted for the night, Philip to dream of another 
opportunity that was to take him to the 
Jewish quarter. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


23 


CHAPTER III. 

The morning after the meeting at the 
university found Philip Harum and Alexander 
Lavinski trudging through the snow to the 
house of ‘ ‘Sofia Petrovsky” who was a woman 
of rank, a daughter of a eouneillor of the 
ministry of Domains and grand-daughter of a 
minister of the Interior under Nieholas I ; 
she was also related to the wife of Alexander 
Lavinski. They were ushered into her princely 
dwelling and quietly admitted to her private 
Boudoir which was a “bijou” of taste and 
elegance. Here this lovely and charming woman 
received only her choice friends, members of 
the ‘ ‘ Vendetta’'’ to which she herself belonged, 
and the privacy of which was sealed with 


24 


PHILIP HAKUM, 


a drop of blood from the arm of each of its 
members to impress upon them that life and 
death hung upon a single thread, or like the 
sword of Damocles upon a hair which if broken 
was certain death. Even her father and his 
household were as unsuspecting of her principles 
as though they never saw her. So wary and 
wise had grief and sorrow taught her to be. 
It was cheery and bright in her little parlor ; 
pictures and flowers and lights and the great 
Russian stove as bright as gold threw a halo 
of peace and loveliness around its queen the 
golden haired, blue-eyed beauty ‘ ‘Sofia 
Petrovsky.” The outer semblance was all that 
the happiest mortal could desire; but beneath 
the veil, beyond the dazzle of pomp and show 
there lay a broken heart, a crushed spirit, a 
frenzied brain. Scarcely beyond the verge of 
womanhood, “Sofia Petrovsky” had loved and 


■THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


25 


suffered. “Leonst Incrtinski” a prince of the 
realm had been detected in a nihilistic con- 
spiracy, arrested and sent to Siberia with a 
band of men and women all of aristocratic 
birth, after enduring all the ignominy that 
could be heaped tipon them he succumbed to 
the brutal treatment, as well as Elizabeth 
Protoski, a girl of eighteen summers who was 
accused of carrying messages of a nihilistic 
nature. 

They died on their unhappy route and 
were released from the tortures of a life which 
was beyond endurance. “Leonst” was the 
betrothed of Sofia, she begged to be arrested 
and taken with him ; but her time had not yet 
come ; it would have been sweet to her if she 
could have taken the place of Elizabeth Protoski 
but she lived only to avenge the cruel death 
of her lover. 


26 


PHILIP HARUM, 


Since his death she never appeared in any 
color, pure white was her only attire ; and 
now in the depth of winter, clad in a soft 
Kussian cloth she looked the impersonation of 
innocence and purity and seemed a twin sister 
of loveliness to the newly fallen snow, which 
she remarked ‘ ‘was descending like stray flowers 
from the gardens of Paradise, but alas ! when 
they reach this nether world they will melt 
away in thin vapor like the blighted hopes of 
us poor nihilists.” Philip Harum was the son 
of a clergyman of aristocratic origin, remotely 
related to Sofia and her chosen confidant, 
“When are you going to the Jewish quarter 
again Philip.” 

“I have bestowed all but my last jewel on 
the holy cause. That, I am reserving for a 
crisis and I think it is near at hand. I m 
not superstitious, but I have had a warning. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


27 


like the Czar, I have seen my ‘Leonst’ and 
he told me in the stillness of the niorht, to 
set my house in order, that I would soon be 
with him, God bo praised! I have but one task 
to perform, to avenge his death, you need not 
ridicule my^ vision ; did not Nicholas I 
appear to Alexander and bid him make a 
speedy restitution for his cruelties and to hasten 
the freeing of the Serfs or he could not rest 
in paradise?” Alexander Lavinski and Philip 
Harum, after bidding Sofia a sombre adieu, 
parted ; the one to hie back to his home in 
“Kief” to be strengthened in his resolves by 
his strong and patriotic wife, the other to seek 
the “Jewish quarter” and exchange the casket 
of gems for the rubles so much required by 
the “will of the people.” 


28 


PHILIP HARUM, 


CHAPTER lY. 

In an out-of-the-way, obscure suburb of 
the city rested the little quarter of the Heb- 
rews, from three to five hundred families actu- 
ated by the same interest and lured here by its 
utter seclusion from the great city, partaking 
of neither social, political, nor religious advan- 
tages, because deprived of all. They were per- 
mitted to live and breathe in their own quarter, 
as a dog would be allowed the privilege of 
gnawing the bone thrown to it — if he would 
simply gnaw the bone and be oblivious to all 
else besides. The agriculurist, the architect, 
the poet, the minstrel and the sculptor were 
found amongst its inmates venerated as being 
particularly formed by their Creator. Misery 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


29 


and death were busy within a few miles of 
this “Hebrew Colony.” The sins that con- 
vulsed the nation and agitated the multitude 
were unknown to them, for the seditious or 
ambitious sought a wide field and would bid 
an eternal farewell to this peaceful abode. 
A rocky crag almost all the year covered with 
snow, with only here and there a little shrub 
or snow-flower peeping from beneath, the only 
streams issuing from the mountain to water 
the vale often frozen, marked the site of their 
little hamlet and reminded them of that richer 
and holier land their fathers sins had forfeited. 
During the Polish revolution, when the Jews 
were ordered away and made to settle in 
Russia — the better to be persecuted — a few 
families begged to establish their homes near 
the precincts of a large city, and beneath the 
shadow of “Christian domes” to raise their 


30 


PHILIP II ARUM 


little temple to the living God. Through years 
of persecution and deprivation they plied their 
enterprise and industries, never fearing that 
the God of Israel who brought them out of 
the land of Egypt and the house of bondage 
would watch over them now. They firmly 
believed they were the chosen people of God, 
the belief was their inheritance ; if it were not 
so how could they have risen through the 
bigotry and prejudice of eighteen hundred 
years? for bigotry and prejudice are the only 
things that reason cannot conquer. Thrift — 
and its consequence, comfort and independence 
— was the condition of every family. There 
were no paupers there, no idle vagabonds, for 
their prominent proverb “that he who taketh 
not care of his own household is worse than 
an infidel,” was ever held up as an incentive 
to industry ; and the innate feeling transmitted 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT, 


31 


from generation to generation that tlie whole 
world was against them bound them, together 
in a holy brother’ hood knowing that the day 
would come for final restoration. The good 
“Rabbi Ben Israel” presided over his flock. 
In the little Temple the “Shekina” rested over 
the mercy-seat, and here each seventh day 
found the united people quietly assembled ; 
no labor permitted although they were obliged 
to close all outward signs of buisness also on 
the Christian Sunday, depriving them of their 
legitimate labor ; but poor as they might be 
they strictly kept the Sabbath of their fathers. 
In one of the prettiest and most luxurious homes 
dwelt Isaac Zarinski the “money lender,” and 
his beautiful daughter. 

Possessed of all the charms of her race 
Adina Zarinski was a lovely type of Jewish 
beauty, more than one of the young men 


32 


PHILIP HARUM 


cast longing looks upon the charming 
Jewess regardless of her father’s coffers. 
Left motherless early in childhood she had 
become so intertwined in the affections of 
her father, who with the parental fondness 
characterestic of his race was devoted to his 
child. She dwelt alone in their cesthetic home 
— ever accompanied by her hand-maiden, 
“Leah” — for not only St. Petersburg but 
Paris and other large cities were often culled 
for the benefit of the Jew’s daughter. It was 
well known where to find a sale for “bric-a- 
brac” as well as jewels. Strange it is but 
true as strange, that money gravitates to the 
Jewish race. May it not bo that persecuted 
and maligned, hunted down and driven like 
frightened sheep from their fold, that the one 
true and living God has watched over his 
“chosen people” and to prove to a cruel world 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


33 


his fostering care has set the mark of success 
upon his bleeding race? 


34 


PHILIP II ARUM 


CHAPTER V. 

After saying farewell to Sofia and Alexander 
and making an appointment to see her soon 
again, Philip’s trend was towards the “Jewish 
quarter. ’ ’ He wrapped his furs around him and 
snugly ensconced in his little Russian Drosky 
with the snow bells sounding merrily, away 
he flew past the tall steeples, past the aristo- 
cratic avenues, leaving far behind him that 
pride and pomp which is always found in a 
great city within a stone’s throw of the most 
squalid poverty and greatest suffering. Soon 
ho drew up in the lowly little lane known as 
“Ephraim Avenue” and quickly alighted before 
the door of the money-lender’s shop whither 
he often drifted now both for pleasure and 


THE MIHILIST STUDENT. 


35 


business. It was no new sight to see ‘‘vehicles” 
fi’om the most anstocratic quarter of St. Peters- 
burg ; but to-day seemed busier than usual, 
and even ladies in velvets, and furs were eagerly 
waiting to bo attended to. “Ah, friend Philip 
it is you ! can you walk up stairs and see my 
‘Jewel?’ you have not been here for a whole 
week. 

‘ ‘Indeed I will friend Zarmski, I am 
cold, and tired, and I see no chance for 
business for some time, so, as I am not in a 
hurry, I shall wait.” Up he flew into the “home 
apartments” of the “money-lender,” having 
long since acknowledged not only to himself 
but to Adina that she was the bright particular 
star in his drama of life. As was her wont 
he found her with her hand-maiden Leah busy 


36 


PHILIP HARUM, 


at their embroidery. With her pure and delicate 
fingers she wrought all the sacred decorations 
of their holy temple. Her almost superhuman 
voice sang the oratorios and those beautiful 
anthems that the Jewish maidens sang when 
they “hung their harps on the willows and sat 
down by the waters of Babylon and wept.” 

“So long dear Philip, ah, so long since 
you were here ; but I have not had the heart 
to announce our hopes to my honored father! 
I know his prejudices, and while he loves 
and honors you as a friend, I know not how 
he will feel at our betrothel 1 Philip, we 
rrmst have his blessing.” 

‘ ‘Alas, dearest Adina, why wert thou 
born a Jewish maid, and I a Christian youth ? 
Rather had we been taught at Allah’s shrine, 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


37 


and when the ‘Muezzin’ cries the hour of 
prayer, we together could bow our heads 
in worship.” Time flew by on wings of 
love. The tea had been served and the short 
Russian day was fast closing ere Philip 
went to transact the important business for 
which he had come. “Farewell, dearest, un- 
til to-morrow, and then I shall be here again : 
these are perilous times ; there is no telling 
what a day may bring forth. Only wait for 
me. I am ready to wait like Jacob of old, 
be it seven times seven years. ’ ’ He then went 
into the shop and, getting the money on the 
jewels he brought, speedily hastened back to 
place a thousand rubles in the treasury of 
^^The Will of the People, 


38 


PHILIP HARUM, 


CHAPTER VI. 

It was yet twilight : all was still in the few 
streets occupied by the business of the “Israel- 
ites.” Zarinsld closed his shop and hastened 
up to his daughter ; a look of woiTy and sadness 
was upon his face. “My beloved Adina, may 
the blessing of the God of Israel rest upon 
thee ! We are exiles, wanderers in the wide, 
wide world. Judea is our country and heaven 
our home. Though we are permitted to dwell 
in this little quiet spot near a great city, we 
know not what moment we may be ordered 
to leave our fire-sides and altars ; therefore, 
houses and lands have we none ; we do not 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


39 


allow ourselves to become attached to one 
foot of ground, even the spot where rest our 
sacred dead we have bequeathed to the God 
of Israel. As the world fi'owns upon us it 
behooves us to take care of ourselves and to 
always have our lamps trimmed and burning, 
and the wherewith to procure the necessities' 
of life to which we have been accustomed. 
All these jewels of value I place in your 
casket to save you my ‘jewel’ from penury and 
want, and if the day should ever come, vdth 
these hidden upon your person you can fly to 
any part of the world, and should your poor old 
father be taken to his fathers you will have 
the only friend to whom he would be willing 
to intrust you — money.” 

“I am getting uneasy about these Nihil- 


40 


PHILIP HAKUM, 


ists. I am seriously impressed that Philip 
Harum is in some way connected with a 
secret society. The Israelites in Russia have 
ever been prudent and far-seeing. They 
affiliate with no political, religious or social 
societies and you see their persecutions. Were 
such unprovoked cruelties ever exercised in a 
civilized government ? And though we are in 
the shadow of a great city, we are not se- 
cure from envy, jealousy and bigotry.” 

“Ah, my father! can we, so quiet, so 
honest and true, seeking only our indepen- 
dence and the privilege of worshipping 
our God and our Father, can we be mo- 
lested?” 

“Yes, my child it is ours to suffer for the 


sins of our fathers.” 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


41 


‘ ‘And, if there are ranks in suffering, Israel 
takes precedence of all the nations ; if the 
duration of sorrows and the patience with 
which they are borne ennoble, the Jews are 
among the aristocracy of the land ; if a litera- 
ture is called rich in the possession of a 
few classic tragedies, what shall we say to 
a national tragedy lasting for fifteen hundred 
years in which the poets and actors were 
also the heroes.” Zarinski did not have the 
appearance of a martyr : his taste and success 
as a money-getter was the exasperating dif- 
ference between the Jew and the Gentile, during 
all the ages of their dispersion, but when 
he quoted that beautiful passage from his 
favorite “Zunz” he seemed clothed in the 
sublime pathos of the martyr. — Philip Harum 


42 


PHILIP HAKUM, 


did belong to a secret society. Adina knew 
it; but love and hope were hovering near 
to shield and save. “Ah, welcome pure eyed 
faith, white-handed hope. Thou hovering angel, 
girt with golden wings. Among the blessings 
of love there is none more exquisite than 
the sense that in uniting our sympathies and 
views with the beloved ones that we may 
watch over their happiness and bring com- 
fort where there are misfortunes.” Adina had 
been carefully educated ; she was naturally 
of a philosophic bent ; she inherited deep thought 
from her father and a poetic nature from her 
mother and the dreams of her race had 
tinged her hfe with melancholy thought. 
When her father left her after his sad dissert- 
ation and expressions -with regard to Philip, 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


43 


Adina sat motionless, pondering upon the 
complications of human existence in general, 
and of Philip Harum in particular. “Ah !” 
cried she — “I have somewhere read that 
in the checkered area of human experience, 
the seasons are all mingled as in the golden 
age ! fruit and blossoms hang together ; in 
the same moment the sickle is- reaping and 
the seed is sprinkled; one tends the green 
cluster, and another treads the wine-press. 
Nay in each of our lives harvest and spring 
time are continually one until Death himself 
gathers us and sows us anew in his in- 
visible fields.” . 


44 


rillLIP HARUM, 


CHAPTER VII. 

Momentous things are happening each moment 
of our lives and ‘ dt is a part of probal3ility 
that the most improbable things will happen. ’ ’ 
Philip Harum, around whom the Fates were 
already weaving their web, was oblivious to 
all save his country and his love. His faith 
in the teachings of his fathers was shattered. 
He had dwelt upon the wrongs of mankind 
until he doubted the fatherhood of God. 

W 

He had seen the inhumanity of man to his 
fellow until he no longer believed in the 
brotherhood of man. If any one had asked 
him if ho were a socialist he would have 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


45 


replied — “I am worse, I am a Nihilist. I 
would destroy everything, everything there 
is.” He had long since given up the church 
of his fathers ; indeed public worship of any 
kind ; he had long ago renounced all forms 
of faith. The evolution of theology was to 
him as clearly defined as the evolution of the 
human race. 

Pondering upon these abstruse questions, 
he reached the university where he was greeted 
as usual as the financier of their little treasury, 
the one friend they had at the “Jewish 
quarter” — indeed he was always cheered as 
their friend at court, the “power behind the 
throne” and the throne was the coffers of 
Isaac Zarinski. The Nihilists were growing 
stronger eveiy day ; not only was German 


46 


PHILIP HARUM, 


socialism but German skepticism broadening 
the path for Liberalists and Free-thinkers. 
Among the broadest thinkers and the most 
cultured students Philip Harum stood at the 
helm. He was ever welcomed as the guiding 
star of the Assembly. To-night he deposited 
the rubles obtained upon Anna Lavinski’s 
jewels and with heart overflowing with indig- 
nation at the tyranny and oppression that 
had so long warped his bleeding country, 
and with contempt and disgust for a religion 
that trampled under foot the conscientious 
scruples of all save its own, he arose, and 
his majestic form dilated as he opened up 
before his astonished listeners the wide domain of 
theological absurdities. “For eighteen hundred 
years there has been a cry of ‘peace an^j 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


47 


there is no peace.’ The religion that took 
the place of nature worship, the cult of the 
cosmic deities, the deification of ancestral 
ghosts, or ancestor worship and down through 
fetichism’ and totemism to the present state 
of intellectual shadow worship is simply a 
religion of symbols ; but will, I suppose, always 
give mankind some incentive to moral action. 
So long as the Christian faith is admitted to 
be mere symbols, I should not object to it, 
for some of them are beautiful; but when 
they are imposed upon us as realities, then 
it becomes our highest duty to show that 
these dogmatic idols are made by men’s hands 
and have no greater value than the stocks 
and stones they have replaced. In a few 
words — there is too much theology in the 


48 


PHILIP HARUM, 


nineteenth century and not enough true religion ; 
it is that which has destroyed a belief in the 
fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of 
man. Let us study for ourselves the writings 
of Hegel, of Kant, or Spinoza and ’we shall 
therein find the God of Matthew Arnold. 
The power not ourselves that maketh for 
righteousness. The Man made God who has 
a mortal image like our own after whose 
image the vanity of man has created him, 
says Spinoza — “is the ofi'spring of our 
own arrogance as well as ignorance and if 
a triangle could argue, it would make God 
a triangle !” — After his eloquent and excited 
address, Philip Harum took his seat. Every 
eye was gazing upon him with silent admiration : 
they all respected and admired his political 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


49 


views but while they were aware that he 
acknowledged himself a skeptic in the doctrines 
of the Christian religion they had never before 
heard him express sentiments of real agnos- 
ticism. Michael Lazarof, a student of the 
university and a Nihilist of the deepest dye, 
arose and in the blandest terms ignored the 
Nihilism of Philip in religion ; ‘‘for,” said he, 
“while I am a political Nihilist, the strongest 
plank in my ship of state is the belief in 
the God of my fathers ; and I feel assured 
that the pretty Hebrew daughter of Isaac 
Zarinski has done more to shatter the faith 
of friend Philip in the religion of his fathers 
than Kant or Spinoza. Let love conquer 
faith but hold on to the God of Abraham, 
of Isaac, and of Jacob.” 


60 


PHILIP HARUM, 


The solemnity of the occasion, and the 
signs of the times forbade any argumentative 
excitement. The trials of the past, and the 
dread of the future repelled anything like 
temper or vain glory. When they sepa- 
rated after each meeting they were not cer- 
tain they should ever see each other again, 
and a difference of opinion was always 
accepted with love and veneration. A 
settled sadness pervaded every heart, a bond 
of suffering united every soul : silently they 
worked and hoped, and like the rippling 
brook which flows quietly on till lost in 
the deep and fathomless ocean, they felt 
sure of at last reaching the "oal. 

O o 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


51 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Philip Harum was the only child of a 
clergyman whose life was deeply tinged by 
tiie gloom and austerity of his faith. He 
had been brought up in the most severe and 
puritanical style, being allowed but few privileges 
that could bring sunshine and happiness to 
his heart. What wonder then that he with 
mind acute and penetrating should have grown 
to ignore the stream when the fountain was 
impure! he would have been a Christian of 
the broadest sympathies. That charity which 
covers a multitude of faults blossomed in his 
heart and would have fructified his wdiole life 


52 


PHILIP HAEUM, 


had he been taught more religion and less 
theology ; but like many others he was driven 
to skepticism by the absurdities and incon- 
gruities of false teaching. “Love had con- 
quered faith.” His soul went out to suffering 
humanity and he could only recognize a God 
with pitying eye who blotted out the stains 
of a cruel world by the exercise of mercy 
instead of vengeance. The next morning found 
him with Sofia Petrovsky. He had appointed 
a meeting with her — as he often did. They 
were congenial spirits and though she was 
regarded with suspicion, he had thus far 
eluded it. He found her alone and in tears. 
“Ah, Philip ! what have I not undergone ? I, who 
have felt his hallowed kiss ; I whose every 
prayer was, ‘holy mother save him I 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


53 


have just been reading Montaigne and am 
touched by his words ; they apply startlingly 
to me. ‘If any one should importune me 
to give a reason why I loved him I feel 
it could no otherwise be expressed than by 
making answer, because it was he ! because 
it was I ! There is beyond what I am able to 
say I know not what inexplicable and inevi- 
table power that brought on this union.” 

She continued weeping bitterly, and, sinking 
upon her knees, remained for some moments 
lost in prayer ; then, rising composed but deadly 
pale, with tears rolling down her cheeks, she 
went slowly to the casement and throwing it 
open bent forward as if to breath the soft and 
bracing air of the declining day. It seemed to 
waft its health-inspiring breeze over the newly- 


54 


PHILIP HARUM 


fallen snow and to soothe the broken spirit 
that had just succumbed to sorrow and grief. 
Turning to Philip and taking from her finger 
a gem of untold value, “take this, dear Philip, 
it is the last thing I have that was his ; it is 
the signet seal, sanctified by the first kiss of 
love which bound our hearts and souls together : 
I lay it as an offering upon the shrine of our 
dying country. I could not part with it even 
for that if I did not feel, yes ! know, that 
my days are numbered.” Then stepping close 
to him, in a whisper she uttered a few words ; 
they made Philip start with horror as he 
exclaimed ‘ ‘Heaven forbid ! Sofia Petrovsky 
keep thy heart pure, and thy hands unstained 
by blood. We can never gain a righteous cause 
by unrighteous means. ’ ’ He felt more certain 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


55 


than ever that her mind was crazed. She 
was bereft of reason by the untimely death 
and suffering of her lover and had become 
a monomaniac about avenging his death. Philip 
Harum was a true patriot, and sympathized 
with his unhappy compatriots ; but he was 
as honorable, as loyal to his cause, and he 
Avould never stoop to the conspirator’s plot, 
nor the assassin’s deadly blow. The words 
which Sofia had whispered in his ear startled 
him and disclosed at once the morbid condition 
of her brain and the frenzied imagination under 
which she was laboring ; and he resolved to 
turn if possible the channel of her desires. 
“To work for the good of the people, to use 
gold for the advancement of liberal doctrines 
was not treason, to clamor for a constitutional 


56 


PHILIP HAKUM, 


government was yet the privilege of every 
citizen — if done within proper limits.” For 
these he was ready to work, and willing to 
die and to spend the little fortune he had 
inherited from his father. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


57 


CHAPTER IX. 

After Philip’s gruesome interview with 
Sofia, he left and wended his way to the 
Jewish quarter, with the valuable relic which 
Sofia Petrovsky had given him to exchange 
for gold. The snow which had been falling 
had changed to a thick mist, and a shadowy 
vapor was settling over the city. Philip was 
dissatisfied with himself, for he felt creeping 
over him an affinity to his surroundings, at- 
which he shuddered. It had been several days 
since he had seen Adina and to always carry 
a shadow of the mysterious events that were 
fast culminating seemed to him sacrilegious. 


58 


PHILIP HARUM, 


Ezra Smolenski was the bitter enemy of 
Philip Harum. He loved Adina Zarinsld as 
devotedly as one of his sinister and selfish 
nature could. They had grown up together; 
his sister Rachel, or Ray as she was called 
was her friend and confidante, and to see another, 
and he of a strange creed stepping in to win 
the only prize which he had ever sought — save 
nioney — ^was more than one of his sinister dis- 
position could endure. Ezra Smolenski was 
the richest Jew in the Hebrew quarter ; his 
large variety store was well filled with every- 
thing that could be desired, from the finest 
silks, laces, and broad-cloths to the simplest 
bric-a-brac. He was patronized from all quar- 
ters of St. Petersburg ; the wealthiest and most 
fashionable sought the establishment of Ezra 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


59 


Smolenski. Isaac Zarinski was his friend; he 
had known him from boyhood, and his suc- 
cess^ as a money-maker enhanced him in his 
estimation and although it would never occur 
to him to sell his child for money, or to one 
unworthy of her, it surely gratified him to 
think that she might some day make so eligible 
a match. It is characteristic of the Hebrew 
race to stand by the creed of their fathers. 
They never run after strange Gods ; they know 
— as we all do — that mixed marriages are often 
fatal to prosperity and happiness, for, want of 
sympathy and congeniality prevents harmony, 
and without harmony wedded life which should 
be an Eden becomes a hell. Thus the hearts 
of the young cannot be too sebulously guarded, 
and promiscuous association too much con- 


60 


PHILIP HARUM, 


demned ; but do we ever escape our fate ? 
Impossible ! and the web which was already- 
woven around Adina was impenetrable by the 
most watchful care and philosophic creed, for, 
from her horoscope cast in the house of 
‘ ‘V cnus’ ’ she could never escape. Philip Harum 
at last reached the shop of the money-lender, 
cold, and wet and weary both in body and 
mind. “Welcome, ever welcome friend Philip, 
for you bring me the choicest gems in 
‘Petersburg. ’ ’ 

“And here is a ^Kohinoor' a relic of 
great value, give me all you can for it ; 
the money is to be devoted to suffering 
humanity, to build up law and order, to lay 
the foundation of a constitutional government 
and to benefit you and me. The whole world 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


61 


will be better for it if the great day ever 
arrives that sees Russia free from autocratic 
rule.” • 

‘ ‘It is for that the rich are spending 
their money, for that philosophers and 
politicians are dreaming and for that, how many 
noble souls have passed away uttering with 
their dying breath Dulce et decorum est pro 
patria morif Zarenski saw the beautiful 
and valuable gem his eyes twinkled with 
delight, for deep, down in the coffer that 
held Adina’s jewels it was destined to take 
its place. “Two thousand rubles is not too 
much for it: it holds both the fire and the 
azure blue of the heavens. It will either 
bedeck ‘my Jewel’ or give her bread should 
she ever become a wanderer in a foreign land.” 


62 


PHILIP HARUM, 


Philip received the money and asking for a 
short interview with Adina was ushered into 
her little parlor sans ceremonie. “I almost 
began to think I would never see you again 
Philip, a whole week seems long to hearts 
that love and in these troublous times we 
know not what a day may bring forth.” 

“Chance and circumstances my dear 
Adina often control our movements without 
our will ; but there is a divinity that shapes 
our ends rough hew them as we may. ’ ’ 

“Though all the world should try to sever 
us, I am sure it can never be ; I feel an 
unbounded faith within that you are mine 
and I am yours regardless of creeds or the 
malice of enemies.” 

“Adina I know of but one being who 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


63 


wishes me ill : Ezra Smolensk! always looks 
upon me with jealous eye.” 

“Ah! if you only knew how repugnant 
his attentions are to me, you would pity 
me more than you blame him. True he 

is the friend of my childhood ; when 

his sister and I were * little girls, he 

watched over us like an older brother ; 
he guided our footsteps over the 
mountains ; he carried our ‘fishing tack- 
les’ and taught us how to fish for the 

speckled trout in the mountain streams ; he 
guided us through nooks and fens to gather 
ferns and wild-flowers ; and he played upon 
the lute, oh! such sweet declicious airs that 
to my childish heart I thought it was love ! 
and going as we did Sabbath after Sabbath to 


64 


PHILIP HAKUM, 


the Temple to worship the same ‘God of our 
fathers’ I grew up thinking there could never 
be a love dearer to me than his. Alas ! I 
was but- a child ; no rough winds or chilling 
blast had breathed their insidious breath upon 
my pathway ; love, and sunshine, and Heaven 
seemed my destiny. Thus years passed by ; 
he, already more than a youth, having earned 
a reputation enviable to any young man, what 
wonder that he was a favorite with my father ? 
and that he looked with gracious eye upon 
his admiration for his only child. He grew 
to love me better every day, while I, dear 
Philip flew full fleged from my ‘childish fancy,’ 
learning — when too late for him — that an in- 
nocent vagary of childhood, is not the subtle 
thing called love. One day I saw you dearest 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


65 


enter my father’s shop. I had never sought 
the outside world, I had never dreamed of 
an ideal love ; content and happy here in our 
little home acknowledging no law but that of 
Moses, no God but Him that law revealed ; it 
mattered not to me whether Mohammedan or 
Nazarine claimed supremacy in Russia. I saw 
you Philip and from that moment I was 
wretched, .for I did not know I would ever 
see you again. First a thrill of infinite delight 
passed through my frame as quick and perfect 
as electricity ; an infiuence I had never known 
before, and as clearly as if some unseen power 
had whispered in my ear, I heard, I knew 
— I know not how — that I had met the only 
one that Avould make or mar my destiny. I 
say I was wretched for I did not know I would 


66 


PHILIP HAKUM. 


ever see you again. I did not know that it 
was the inevitable design of our lives to be 
united, regardless of faith and creed and a 
knowledge of each other!” 

“You did not know Adina that before I 
saw you or knew there dwelt in this world 
a lovely being like yourself, that I was 
drawn, ever drawn here to the ‘money-lenders 
home, ’ that when business brought me I 
was intuitively happy ; the days or weeks that 
nothing necessitated my coming found me 
sad and lonely ; I felt as if I were looking 
for something I must find, and when on that 
happy day you were accidentally intro- 
duced to me by your father, I too knew 
that my destiny was sealed ‘for weal or for 
woe.’ It is a strange coincidence dearest 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


67 


and our fate cannot be averted,” 

“Philip my father seems astonished that 
I cannot fancy Ezra ; from a business stand- 
point and a philosophic view there can be no 
reason why I should not ; but his one and only 
charm to me is his devotion to his sister. They 
were left orphans when he had scarce reached 
adolescence and she a little child. He has 
cherished her as fondly as only a mother 
could, and educated her in a superior style. 
Nature too has been bountiful to her; she 
has talents and accomplishments and a voice 
that will one day make her famous, for do 
you know she is going to Berlin to study 
for the operatic stage.” 

“Ray is a sweet and beautiful girl,” replied 
Philip, “and I shall always wish her ‘God 


68 


PHILIP HARUM. 


speed but how you will miss her, darling, 
and who can take her place by your side in 
the Temple?” 

“True enough, we have never thought. 


but our God will provide.” 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


69 


CHAPTER X. 

While events of the most serious nature 
were constantly being enacted in St. Petersburg, 
the thread of our story carries us to Kief, 
to view the quiet and well ordered family of 
Alexander Lavinski, After his return from 
St. Petersburg both he and his wife avoided con- 
versing upon the ominous scenes to which 
he had been witness. 

The atmosphere of life seemed grave and 
dark even to those whom the calamities had 
not touched. The most careless spirit is often 
oppressed by the precariousness and cruelty 
of human existence and the signs of the 


TO 


PHILIP HAKUM 


times had cast a gloom even over the most 
remote provinces. Anna Lavinski was the 
happiest wife and mother ; seven years of 
untold felicity had been theirs. It was one 
of those few happy marriages in which no 
galling chain is felt ; but a quick and perfect 
sympathy insuring that harmony which passion 
alone could never sustain. She had inherited 
a vast domain as her hereditary right, with 
serfs that she had set free, even before the 

edict of the Czar. Alexander Lavinski had 

:4 

left the gay city of St. Petersburg to bask in 
the sunshine of love and independence. 
The unselfish and devoted wife often feared 
that the gay and handsome man would tire 
of domestic bliss and happy seclusion, know- 
ing that men seek more fi’om the world 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


71 


than women and that love is only half the 
world to them while ‘tis woman’s whole 
existence.” 

She knew and felt what every true woman 
feels — ^who loves aright — ^that it is the wife 
who has all to gain from “Loves young 
dream.” They are more dependent upon 
married life than the husband and they should 
ever strive to make their home a haven of 
rest for the way-worn mariner of life whose 
vessel has been tossed upon the waves of 
ambition and worldly strife and often the 
sorest disappointments. Their home was 
beautiful and romantic, as only a “Russians 
Chateau” can be ; with the silver-peaked moun- 
tains in the distance always covered with 
snow and often presenting a roseate tinge 


72 


PHILIP HARUM, 


either from the setting sun or the reflection 
of the “Aurora Borealis” which lights up 
the heavens in that northern clime almost 
every night during the winter solstice and 
often during the summer. Alexander was 
devoted to his lovely wife and proud of 
her executive ability as well as of her charms 
and accomplishments. They had truly lived 
the life of lovers; their honey-moon was 
still at its full, no waning as yet visible, 
no approach towards decline. Two lovely 
children, little Ivan and Meta with golden 
hair and bright blue eyes embellished their 
home and cemented a union which love alone 
could bind. 

‘ ‘Aunt Olga is coming dear to pay us the 
long promised visit and how proud I shall 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


73 


be to prove to her that there is one true 
marriage ; poor aunt ' Olga ! whose hopes 
were blighted in early life and whose one 
disappointment made her suspicious of all 
others. ’ ’ 

“Yes,” replied Alexander, “it is so 
true that we see life through our own 
spectacles.” 

“Do you know dearest,” said Anna, 
“that I have always blamed aunt Olga; she 
was too stern and cold and unforgiving; 
from all I have learned of the far off past, 
she sacrificed through self-love a good and noble 
man who might have been restored to honor 
and devotion by affection and charity. He 
possessd a thousand virtues and one single fault ; 
he was led astray by the machinations of 


74 PHILIP HAKUM, 

vucked companions, who psychologized him in 
a moment of weakness and though sorrowful 
and repentent the wife who had vowed to love 
and cherish him through evil as well as good 
report, was the first to forsake him ; she made 
bad, worse and brought a life-time of sorrow 
and loneliness upon herself, and destruction 
upon him, and all because her self-love was 
attacked. She was not a true wife, for she 
thought more of herself than of her husband, 
and unless self is absorbed in each other, 
there is no happiness in married life.” 

“Yes, dear, and that is the only difference 
of opinion we have ever had : — ^you will 
persist that I am the most lovable and I 
know that my wife is.” 

‘ ‘May it ever be thus j I am only a good 


THE l^IHILIST STUDENT. 


75 


‘German wife and mother’ who lives alone 
for her husband and children,” This lovely 
tete-a-tete was suddenly disturbed, and who 
should be announced but Philip Harum? 


76 


PHILIP 11 ARUM, 


\ 


CHAPTER XI. 

In Anna Lavinski’s home a pleasing excite- 
ment prevailed. The next day after the 
arrival of “Philip Harum,” welcomed her 
aunt Olga who had come in time to be 
present at her “feast day.” It was now 
early spring, and the sun-shine and the 
shower of April weather cast a charm over 
the beautiful grounds surrounding the “Chat- 
eau.” The sun shone out with unusual bright- 
ness for that northern region and the very 
birds seemed imbued with the loveliness of 
the scene. It seemed to Philip when he 
looked back at the sombre experiences through 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


77 


which he had passed during the winter, as 
if some magic wand had been at work to 
transform in a moment the gloomy atmos- 
phere which enveloped him in St. Petersburg. 
Such constant excitement of revolt and political 
strife had made the time pass rapidly, and 
it appeared to him but the other day when 
he was trudging through the snow to pay 
a gruesome visit to Sofia Petrovsky, or to find 
his only solace in another quarter, where 
he stole an interview with his beloved Adina. 
A feast-day or name-day sometimes called, 
is an institution of German countries and those 
allied. In isolated provinces among the old 
aristocracy where a whole country belongs 
to the ‘ ‘Nobles’ ’ it is a great privilege to the 
“dependents” to make meny over their lady’s 


78 


PHILIP HARUM, 


day, -and Anna Lavinski was idolized by her 
people. Her peasants, her home, and her 
broad lands were to her a kingdom. She felt 
the responsibility, and in freeing her serfs 
she only bound them more closely to her. 
She watched over their wants and necessities 
as much as ever, and every occasion of 
happiness brought good cheer and its blessings 
for her tenantry. Philip joined in most heartily 
and determined not to make known the 
object of his visit until the feast was over. 
He had come to prevent — by his advice — 
Alexander Lavinski from plunging into the 
arena of “Nihilism” and to beg him to with- 
draw at once from its secret conclaves. It 
would only bring destruction upon himself 
and ruin upon his family, without forwarding 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


79 


in the least the object they had at heart. 
All the long day the peasants were fetching 
evergreens from the mountains, the larch and 
the sturdy pine and at night a mountain band 
of outre instruments were there to honor 
the occasion, in their simple way. The yodel 
of the Germans and the horn of the Tyrol 
could make no wilder, sweeter music than the 
“Mudjicks” of Russia. Anna had prepared 
the best of food ; the choicest fruits and 
sweet-meats were offered in profusion, and 
when all were satisfied they departed, leaving 
their blessing upon her and her household ; 
and who is not better for the benisons of 
the poor ? 

The next day as Philip enjoyed the domestic 
bliss of his cousin, and saw wealth, and 


80 


PHILIP HAEUM, 


health, and abundance everywhere he was 
more convinced than ever of the futility of 
sacrificing wife and children and home for 
a sentiment ; for every day brought fresh 
proofs of the impossibility of reforming an 
‘‘autocracy,” It were madness he told them 
to continue their secret undertakings and 
the impulsive nature of Alexander rendered 
him liable to be discovered at any moment. 
He had written a letter to him in ‘ ‘cypher’ ’ 
which if it had been found would have 
hanged “us both.” “So I beg, I command 
you to desist,’ and enjoy the blessings you 
have and take care of the responsibilities 
your immense wealth has brought you.” 

Their aunt Olga implored him to promise 
her to forget the “wrongs he could not 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


81 


right” and to devote himself to the ameliora- 
tion of the poor around him. With many 
fond farewells and blessings from Anna for 
his interest and good advice Philip at last 
departed; but not until he had heard aunt 
Olga confess that ‘ ‘marriage is not a failure’ ’ 
and that she had found that it is possible 
for people to be happy even in wedded 


82 


PHILIP HARUM, 


CHAPTER XII. 

It was near the end of May ; beautiful 
May in most countries, but a month of strange 
contradictions in Russia. While the haunts 
of nature were robed in the most gorgeous 
beauty bringing a lavish display of foliage, 
and shrub, and flower ; and such fresh, dewy 
mornings, and glorious sunsets, and the long 
sweet hours of twilight, it was no unusual 
sight to awake in the morning and find the 
beauty increased by a film of ice or snow 
which was as quickly dispelled by the rising 
sun. Indeed it seems in Russia as if the 
“vagaries” of spring are on the rampage 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


83 


in May, and she loves to play hide and 
seek with old “Boreous!” But its very 
variableness brings pleasures ; the very word 
brings up old time memories. May-day fetes 
and balls ; but alas ! a spirit of disquietude- 
is abroad, and over the festal halls is hover- 
ing a cloud breathing of oppression and 
misery, a suffering people clamoring for 
freedom, freedom from the thraldom of ‘‘auto- 
cratic power” which makes the proud met- 
tropolis the seat of empire and wealth, fashion 
and beauty, luxury and pleasure, also the seat of 
crime, misery, and desolation. In her pretty 
“boudoir” near the French window-opening on 
a verandah, sat Adina Zarinski, enjoying the 
mild, delicious, air as it was wafted over the 
fragrant vines her •delicate hands had trained 


84 


PHILIP HAEUM 


around her casement. She looked sad and 
dreamy. Philip’s absence to the country was 
to her an age of loneliness. True it is, and 
pity ‘tis true, “that the course of true 
love never did run smoothe,” Isaac Zarinski 
was a devotee to the faith of his fathers. 
He began to feel, when too late, that the 
friend whom he had taken into his house- 
hold had cast a shadow which a dijfference 
of creeds alone warranted. Honorable, and 
generous to a fault, unselfish and true in all 
things, Philip Harum was a grand specimen 
of one who “loves his fellow -man,” and 
reveres the God of his idealistic devotion. 
He was free from cant, and ignoring the 
theological teachings of his childhood, he 
was free from religious prejudice, and could 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


85 


clasp the hand of Jew as well as Gentile; 
and his daily prayer was, “O God deliver 
me 'from the pride and vain glory which, 
thank God that ‘ ‘I am not as other men 
yet with all his noble qualities he was of 
a different race, his creed, he could modify, 
but to be a Hebrew of the Hebrews was 
the acme of every Israelite. The foolish 
preference of Adina’s was only a sentiment, 
and life could all be changed, and the letter 
of the law preserved by the union of his 
daughter with the rich and respected merchant 
Ezra Smolenski. He had promised Ezra to 
talk seriously to Adina, and ere he returned 
from Berlin — whither he was going with 
his sister — he hoped to see a return to the 
friend of her childhood and a relinquishment 


86 


PHILIP HARUM, 


of the romantic fancy that had seemed to 
bind her to a stranger. The same Evening Ezra 
and Ray called to say farewell. She was 
going to Berlin to enter upon an untried 
field of ambition, for Rachel Smolensk! had 
not the laudable excuse of the necessities 
of life to work for ; her brother was rich, 
and devoted to her every whim and desire ; 
therefore it was for fame she was working ; 
but while she was filled with all the zest 
and delight that her young imagination had 
conjured, she seemed sad and troubled when 
she came to say her last good-bye to the 
friend of her childhood, youth and woman- 
hood. Ah ! Adina, I know that ‘ ‘second 
sight’ is a disputed point upon the ‘border- 
land’ of our existence, notwithstanding there 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


87 


have been from time immemorial some who 
have possessed an inner light, a sixth sense, 
if we may call it, or intuitive knowledge 
of the future ; from my childhood I have 
been impressed with coming events and have 
felt that they ‘cast their shadows before,’ 
That is the reason why I am so depressed 
to-night. There is an uneasiness unnatural 
to me ; a shuddering, or shrinking as it 
were from some unknown calamity. I am 
just as sure as can be that something dreadful 
is going to happen ; I firmly believe that when 
I depart from my native valley it will be 
forever. I may never meet you again my 
dear Adina, but promise me that whatever 
may be the cause you will never forget me, 


88 


PHILIP HARUM, 


but remember, — as I shall — the halcyon 
days of our . - childhood. ’ ’ 

“Oh ! my dear Ray there is no cause for 
such despondence. If you were friendless and 
pennyless, and going out into the wide, wide 
world to earn a precarious livelihood, or to 
battle with life for fame or glory, you might 
have gloom and fears ; but dearest with the 
first disappointment or rebuff — if you should 
meet any — you have a home and a heart to 
fly to, a fond and loving brother whose pride 
and ambition all centre in you and who would, 
I think be very glad if you would return, cured 
of your ‘operatic craze,’ as he calls it. 
You are panoplied on every side by money 
and friends ; was there ever a girl who started 
out to act before the ‘foot-lights’ with such 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


89 


advantages? The Baroness Rosenthal has even 
taken you under her care, such a patroness 
would insure success without your ability and 
your brother’s money!” 

“True, true Adina but neither friends nor, 
money can change the destiny that awaits us, 
and I cannot help but feel depressed ; it 
may pass off, it may be but the natural 
result of my first transit out in the great 
world. I hope it is, but my intuition tells 
me not. So farewell Adina and if forever, 
fare thee well. ” 

Adina passed a sad and sleepless night 
after parting with her friend, for she loved 
Ray devotedly. She felt that she was too 
obtuse to feel an “inner light” for to her 
short sighted vision a bright dream was 


90 PHILIP HARUM, 

unfolding, and Philip llarum was the day- 
star of her happiness. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


91 


CHAPTER XIII. 

When Philip Harum returned to St. Peters- 
burg and found the Assembly at the University 
in its usual ferment, and saw on every side 
evidences of general tumult he rejoiced from 
his inmost soul that he had gone so precipi- 
tately to fore-warn Alexander Lavinski of the 
inexorable doom that was sure to envelop 
the political agitators who were already 
classed with the Nihilists. He had long since 
despaired of accomplishing any compromise 
between tyranny and franchise and gloomy 
acquiescence had cast over him a stolid submis- 
sion which told him his only salvation was 


92 


PHILIP HARUM 


to forsake his country and obliterate from 
his heart the vain desire of seeing Eiissia 
a constitutional government. In his patriotic 
harangue to his fellow students, he told them 
of the utter inefficiency of their measures ; 
of the confusion and tumult which would 
be the natural result of the system of opin- 
ions they were annunciating, and to longer 
foster such false hopes was simply suicidal. 
His eloquence and profound judgment had 
unbounded influence over his “confreres” in 
the University, and consequently they resolved 
that in the future they would confine them-- 
selves entirely to science and literature. 
But while the opinions of Philip Harum were 
having a tranquillizing effect in the University, 
there were outside among secret Nihilists — 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


93 


conspirators at work on the deepest laid 
plans, determined to rule or ruin. 

Zalioski, Hartman and Visotska all leaders 
of secret societies were insane upon the 
subject of immediate reparation, and with 
the enthusiasm of “politicomaniacs” they 
went blindly to work little heeding the 
consequence. Beautiful women too of high 
renown had grown wild over the wrongs of 
their country ; and while Sofia Provosky was 
swearing vengeance upon the Czar for the 
cruel treatment and death of her betrothed, 
'there were others quite as excited over the 
ideas of Nihilism. Hartman was a friend and 
confidant of Sofia and he was furnished with 
money from her jewels until as we have seen 
the last relic was disposed of ; but she was 


94 


PHILIP HAEUM, 


rich and could command the rubles to 
disseminate anarchy. 

Philip Harum, after a short visit to Sofia 
during which he expressed his pacific views 
and remonstrated with her for affiliating with 
the secret leaders of the Nihilists, bade her 
a sad farewell and turned his steps towards 
a home where he hoped to find a respite 
from 'his cares, a nepenthe for all his woes. 
Alas ! Philip Harum did you but know that 
in that garden of Eden to which you are 
hastening with high hopes and rapid strides a 
serpent had entered and left its poisonous 
shmes around its walls, your joy would be 
turned to sorrow, your hopes to fears ; but 
beat on fond heart, nor cease to hope, for one 
there is who will not forget, Isaac Zarinski 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


95 


loved liis daughter too well to coerce her, and 
although the serpent of avarice and the pre- 
judice of race had sorely tempted him, when 
he looked upon her sweet young face and her 
loving black eyes suffused_with tears as she 
repeated once again the words : ‘ ‘there is only 
one, my dearest father whom I can ever love ; 
but without your blessing I will not wed,” 
his heart succumbed, and affection triumphed 
over reason as he clasped her to his heart and 
exclaimed : ‘ ‘farewell Ezra Smolensk! farewell, 
to all thy hopes. ” When, soon after this try- 
ing scene, Philip Harum arrived at the little 
shop. Zarinski’s placid face and staid demeanor 
exhibited none of the whirl of inner feeling which 
he had experienced but a moment before. 
With him, to resolve was to act, and “love 


96 


PHILIP HARUM. 


had conquered faith.” No flower was ever 
seen either in the pearly morning or the 
dewy evening that can compare with a pretty 
woman’s face enriched and beautified by the 
happy emotion of meeting the man she loves. 
“The time has been so long dear Philip 
and I have watched for you through the 
sad and weary days until I remembered that 
you would soon come back and be my own 
forever ; that is what I always think of when 
you arc absent and as Philip encircled her 
in his arms and imprinted a sacred kiss of 
love upon her brow she promised him never 
again to doubt that the Fates were in their 
favor. 

Rachel Smolensk! was snugly domiciled 
in her beautiful apartments in Berlin. Her 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


97 


little “German fraulein” gave her every care 
and attention she could desire. She had 
been presented to the Baroness Kosenthal; 
had selected her teachers at the Conservatoire, 
and bidden farewell to her brother who had 
arranged everything for her comfort and 
deposited the money to procure all the 
luxuries of her station. Brilliant, vivacious 
and beautiful ; gifted by nature with a phenomi- 
nal voice, and cultured to the highest extent, 
it would be an anomaly if she did not suc- 
ceed in the profession she was about to es- 
pouse. Baroness Rosenthal had been com- 
pletely captured by her protege and was more 
than proud to become her patroness. How 
true and strange it is that the dazzle and 
resplendence of the outer world will subdue 


98 


PHILIP HARUM, 


and even obliterate the inner-light and most 
sorrowful forebodings ; thus Ray had quite 
forgotten the intuitions that had prompted 
her to lamentations and sadness at her de- 
parture from home, and enveloped her for 
the time in a shroud of gloom. 

It seems a cruel kindness that draws the 
veil around us and permits us to indulge 
in folly and hilarity up to the very moment 
when with a sudden throe it is torn asunder 
and we are plunged without a moment’s 
warning into the clutches of an irremediable 
sorrow. Ezra returned to his home bright 
and full of hope ; he knew he was the chosen 
one of Adina’s childhood, the favored one 
of her father and he was not prepared to 
find that his case had been decided at the 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


99 


bar of parental affection instead of cold and 
philosophic reason. 

While he was in a state of doubt, hope 
was so strong within, and his vanity so 
great, that he never dreamed but the time 
must come when Adina would yield to his 
devotion and her father’s persuasions, and 
he returned from Berlin quite exhilarated 
over the certainty of success ; what then 
was his surprise and 'disappointment when 
he found that Philip Harum, regardless of 
creed or race and comparatively poor was 
the accepted suitor of the only one for whom 
he had ever felt a love greater than his rubles. 
“Hell hath no fury like a women scorned,” 
but earth hath no demon like a wicked man 
whose heart and pride are both obliged to 


100 


PHILIP HARUM. 


yield to another’s claim, and though calm 
and serene to all appearances Ezra Smolensk! 
had a lurking devil within which sooner or 
later he intended to use upon the unsuspecting 
person of Philip Harum. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


101 


CHAPTER XIV. 

The beautiful summer-time had flown as 
if with the birds it too was seeking a more 
genial clime. The first day of November 
was ushered in — as usual — with a grey mist 
falling and enveloping the dreary looking 
pedestrians many of whom were hastening to 
church — for it was All Saint’s day — and the 
devotees of the Greek as well as the Catholic 
Church consider it a day of obligation ; and 
many sincere prayers were offered up on that 
day to the ' saints in Heaven for their inter- 
cession in behalf of their suffering country. 

The day at last closed, and twilight was 


102 


PHILIP HARUM 


casting its weird shadow over the city with 
its tall spires and beautiful palaces standing 
up like grim sentinels in the distance. 

Ezra Smolenski was sitting in his office 
adjoining his shop in an indolent, dreamy mood 
and seemingly alone; but at a little distance 
there rested a poor misshapen fellow who had 
just come in, and dropping his “pack” from 
his back, had, with a sigh of relief sunk 
into the first seat that offered, for ho was 
very tired after a day’s tramp through the 
great city. ‘ ‘Mose’ can you keep a secret ?” 
was the first salutation Ezra gave him. “I 
think I can Mister Ezra, an’ if it be for you 
ther’s nothin’ I would’nt do for my good 
and kind benefactor.” 

“Mose’ did you ever see Philip Harum?” 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


103 


“Oh! often at the “money-lender’s and 
on the street in the city too.” 

“Well, he has crossed my path and 
unless I can put him out of the way, I 
can never marry the girl of my heart, Adina 
Zarinski.” 

“But Mister, oh. Mister Ezra you don’t 
talk of murder ? poor old Mose’ loves money, 
money, money, but bad and ugly and mis- 
shapen as he is he can never have the 
blood of any man upon his conscience, any 
thing but murder will I do for you Mister 
Ezra.” 

“Why Mose’ you don’t think I would 
commit murder? ther’s an easier way than 
that now-a-days to get rid of our enemies — 
exile them, exile them to the mines of Siberia ! 


104 


PHILIP IIARUM. 


that’s where all these students, these would- 
be reformers and Nihilists ought to be, and 
the country would be free from at least all 
but one autocrat! They keep the people in 
constant turmoil ; they upset the working- 
class and ignorant people by the cry of a 
‘constitutional government’ which one half 
don’t understand. ’ ’ 

“Yes, I see, I see, but how can a poor 
fellow like me help you with all your 
money-bags?” 

“Well Mose in order to bring a man 
or woman either before the tribunal 
there must be an informer, he must be 
accused of suspicious conduct. Even a sus- 
picion well-founded is enough to send a 
man to Siberia. Can’t you prowl around 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


105 


with your ‘pack’ and find out what these 
fellows are about at the University? and 
what you don’t see you can believe you 
do, and your money-bag will be well filled ; 
and Mose’ if you only help me to get this 
canting scoundrel out of the way you shall 
rest on a bed of ease the remainder of your 
life.” The conversation ended and Mose’ re- 
tired to his little closet to dream of the 
wealth and ease he had never hoped for, 
and to fight a battle between his inordinate 
love of money and the latent conscience which 
had been inspired by the teachings at his saint- 
ed mother’s knee, and which had been kept 
alive by his constant attendance each seventh 
day at the “synagogue.” 

“Mose’ the peddler” was the sobriquet by 


106 


PHILIP HARUM, 


which he was known. Ezra Smolenski had 
been very kind to him and lifted him up 
out of poverty and want when a poor refuge, 
for he was a Polish Jew and came years 
before with the others to settle in Russia. 
Ezra furnished him with his “pack” and 
took him in and gave him a home and poor 
Mose’ grew to love his master — as he called 
him — with the devotion of a faithful dog, 
for his mind as well as his body was dwarfed 
by early disease and neglect; but his com 
science never died, he was born with religious 
principals and a love for the God of his 
fathers which could not be destroyed and 
wdiich remained stronger in him than in 
many brighter intellects. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


107 


CHAPTER XV. 

The winter blasts were chill and drear, 
but day after day found “Mose’ the peddler” 
trudging his weary round underneath the 
heavy pack he always carried : sometimes 
it grew lighter by the sales he made, but 
oftner there would be a dull day for poor 
Mose’. He was sure of a kindly welcome 
when he returned after the days labor, for 
Ezra was now on the qui vive for news ; 
news that would fulfill the yearnings of his 
heart. A significant silence pervaded the 
city ; the old thinkers and croakers as they 
are always called were prognosticating a 


108 


PHILIP HARUM, 


storm after such a calm. It was too quiet ; 
an ominous lull which made one feel that 
there were mysteries in the air, Philip Harum 
oblivious of the fact that his very steps 
were watched, made his usual visits to the 
Hebrew quarter, and in the peaceful abode 
of the one he adored found rest from the 
cares of the University. He had virtually 
given up the Nihilist societies to which he 
had formerly belonged and settled down in 
to a thorough student’s life, hoping the con- 
spirators too had learned wisdom. The papers 
were now full of the achievements of the 
new Berlin, and the most 

flattering accounts of the success of the 
beautiful “Fraulein Ray” was constantly re- 
ceived. She had made her debut in the 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


109 


character of “Marguerite” in “Faust” and 
was most enthusiastically cheered, and called 
before the curtain many times. 

Her chaperon was the Baroness Kosenthal 
and her escort the young Count Lilienthal 
whom rumor already said was her fiance 
Ray was very happy ; a field of success and 
delight of which she had never dreamed, 
had from the very first rewarded her efforts. 
The young Count Lilienthal was a nephew of 
Baroness Rosenthal and was captured by her 
at first sight ; his devotion soon won her, 
and at the close of her first engagement 
she had promised to give up the stage and 
become his wife. She had proven to herself 
and friends that she had talents, and she 
had won renown, and now that her heart 


110 


PHILIP HARUM, 


had been touched with a more ardent passion 
she was willing to bid farewell to a profession 
which if it has glory and fame to offer as 
a reward, has also the most arduous tasks 
to peifform before earning them. 

A season of brilliancy had made Ray 
very happy. She longed to clasp her brother 
once more to her heart, and to see her 
friend Adina ; her hopes and prospects for 
the future were so bright that they entirely 
obliterated the inner warning which had 
troubled her at her departure from home. 

The twelfth of March was cold and 
cheery in Berlin ; the ground was covered 
with newly fallen snow and the sleigh-bells 
were ringing memly. It was a ‘‘red-letter” 
day for Ray. The postman brought her 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


Ill 


a long letter from her brother in which he 
congratulated her on her brilliant prospects 
and told her that he was coming to spend 
Easter holidays in Berlin to enjoy the 
German festivities with his darling sister; 
“and Ray dearest you will not be ashamed 
of your ‘dot’ when I give you away even 
to a ‘count.” To the casual observer, all 
seemed so beautiful. Cupid and Venus, the 
Muses and the Graces vied with each other 
to do honor to the fair debutante. She was 
environed by a galaxy of friends, not a single 
circumstance was visible to mar a destiny that 
appeared so perfect. 

The same day that opened so cheery and 
gay in Berlin and brought to Ray such brilliant 
hopes, and cheered her heart with sweet ex- 


112 


PHILIP HARUM 


pectation was dissolving into a night-time of 
gloom in St. Petersburg. The angel of dark- 
ness was hovering over the great city, and 
the Guardian Angel of Alexander II had folded 
his soft wings and was weeping over the fate 
which even he had not the power to avert. 

“Mose’ the peddler” reached home that 
night with news which -might mean a 
good deal, and the appearance was decidedly 
in favor of it. Weeks had passed and 
Ezra Smolenski was beginning to feel that 
they could find no clew to anything trea- 
sonable in Philip Harum. “He is too happy 
now and has given up Nihilism ! Mose’ we 
must discover something and that soon.” 
While there was a feeling of beneficence 
smouldering in the breast of “Mose’ the 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


113 


peddler” it had become warped by hard- 
ships and misfortunes, and the enormous reward 
which Ezra held out to him, at first seemed 
to daze his mind and consume every thought 
save that of the money which would secure 
for him the comforts he so much needed. 
Upon the night of the twelfth of March 
as he was prowling along in his usual 
itinerant course, he accidentally saw Philip 
Harum coming from the house of Sofia 
Petrovsky. As he left, two men enveloped 
in furs that hid their faces and prevented 
even Philip from recognizing them came from 
the opposite direction and entered the house. 
Philip felt sure that they were two of the 
most violent and bitter Nihilists, Hartman 
and E-uisakof — and he was not at all pleased 


114 


PHILIP HARUM, 


to think that Sofia would continue to excite 
suspicion by persisting in receiving the in- 
timate visits of such people. He was going 
the next morning to Kief to spend a week 
with Alexander Lavinski and take a short 
recreation from the duties of the University. 
He had bidden a fond farewell to his be- 
trothed and now he called to say good-bye 
to his old friend Sofia and beg her to 
discontinue any further incendiary movements. 
As he left the house he encountered Mose’ 
whom he recognized, and in the most kindly 
manner saluted him, remonstrating with him 
“for being out these times so late when 
he might be molested' by a rabble that is 
ever on the alert,” It was so. seldom that 
the poor peddler heard kind words or found 


TIIK ■NIHILIST STUDENT. 


115 


anyone to take enough interest in him to 
kindly advise, that the latent flame was 
aroused in his breast and he at once thought : 
“Philip Harum, 1 will never inform against 
you and I will use all the strategy in my 
power to thwart the designs of Ezra Smolenski ; 
even if he is my benefactor I cannot help 
him in crime.” It was a singular coincidence 
that brought “Mose’ the peddler” and 
Philip Harum in contract that night; but 
it changed the whole course of events which 
were so rapidly drawing to a close. While 
they were each pursuing their homeward 
path and cogitating upon the singular in- 
cident of their meeting, the two men whom 
Philip had seen enter the house of Sofia 
Petrovsky just as he left, were, as he sus- 


116 


PHILIP HAKUM, 


peeled none other than Hartman and Rouisakof 
the two arch-conspirators who were in 
constant communication with Sofia. They were 
students whose success had been retarded by 
the avenues of learning being almost entirely 
closed to the- poor whose only capital was 
their brains. A brother of Rouisakof had 
already been confined in the mines of Siberia 
for five long years and each day he grew 
more determined to avenge his sufferings. 
Hartman possessed a brilliant, but erratic 
mind ; disappointment and a naturally mor- 
* bid disposition had made him a misanthrope; 
a romantic desire to be renowned in the 
history of the world, had haunted him un- 
til he filled his imagination with the wildest 
fancies. These two men were companions 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


117 


in suffering with Sofia Petrovsky who gladly 
lent her aid and furnished the money for 
their unscrupulous adventures. Sofia met 
them with her usual grace and enthusiasm, 
soon forgetting in their presence the good 
advice she had just listened to from Philip 
Harum. The next day was the grand 
parade for the Czar’s visit to his winter 
palace. The two conspirators had laid their 
murderous plans with wonderful facility and 
the romantic desire of Sofia to give the 
signal if she could not apply the torch 
was accepted with the most enthusiastic 
emotion. Sofia was energetic and determined; 
“if we succeed” — said she — “how we can 
gloat over our vengeance — if we. fail we 
can die as 'martyrs do and only regret that 


118 


PHILIP HARUM, 


we have not a hundred lives to give for 
our country.” 

“Yes” — said Hartman — “from my youth 
my soul has been harrowed by ambitious 
desires. As a boy when reading Homer 
how I envied the spirit of an Ajax who 
could defy the heavens ! When poring over 
“Caesar” I would have given centuries of 
this poor common existence to have cut 
the ‘Gordian knot’ like Alexander, and like 
Caesar to have passed the Rubicon ! and 
again when I read of the ‘love of country’ 
which fired the soul of the noble Casca, 
to strike the blade to the heart of the tyrant, 
and of Brutus who could sacrifice his friend 
upon the altar of ‘Liberty, ’ I resolved to 
strike a blow ere I should die, that would 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT 


119 


startle the world ; ’tis noble crimes that leave 
their mark while virtues scarce out-live their 
age and generation. The name of Herostratus 
the youth that fired the ‘Ephesian dome’ 
outlives in fame the pious fool that reared 
it.” After Hartman's ebullition had subsided, 
Sofia ordered the “samovar” and pouring each 
a cup of steaming tea, with imimitable grace 
and loveliness she said, “let us drink our 
farewell libation with that which ‘exhilarates 
but does not inebriate ; our souls are already 
intoxicated by the fire of patriotism, and 
when we . meet again” — 

“Yes! when and _ where?” 

They quickly took their solemn leave 
and parted that night — forever. Sofia knelt 
long that night in prayer and retired calm 


120 


PHILIP HARUM 


and composed to a sweet and refreshing 
sleep with the belief which her crazed 
imagination alone could sustain — that the 
act she was about to commit was not 
only sanctioned by God but by the whole 
civilized world. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


121 


CHAPTER XVI. 

The next morning March thirteenth was 
clear and bright, a beautiful snow had 
fallen during the night and frozen and 
crisp it crepitated beneath the feet of the 
pedestrians and shone like a sheet of silver 
studded with gems beneath the rays of 
the rising sun. Although it was a glad 
day in St. Petersburg — for the Czar was going 
to his Winter Palace — and thousands of 
-people would be in the streets to view 
the grand cortege — Philip Harum had 
selected the time to be absent, having no 
heart to witness the arrogance and ostenta- 


122 


PHILIP HARUM 


tion of the Autocrat of all the Russias. 

The night before Hartman and Rouisakof 
had spent the evening with Sofia Petrovsky. 
As Philip Harmn had suspected they en- 
tered the house as he was leaving, and 
the three conspirators then and there 
arranged the sequel to the bloody plot 
which was to make the thirteenth of 
March eighteen hundred and eighty one 
famous in the annals of Russia. The plot 
was well laid and the execution dramatic. 
Sofia Petrovsky was out with thousands of 
others — nobles as well as “the people.” 
She sat most carefully dressed in an open 
carriage enveloped in a cloak of ermine 
with a long black plume waving from her 
white plush hat and which was the insignia 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


123 


by which she was to be recognized by 
the two conspirators whom she was to 
aid to carry out their nefarious design. 
As the Emperor’s carriage drove through 
Canal street she waved her handkerchief to 
Rouisakof and gave the signal to Hartman 
to explode the mine underneath the im- 
perial train. The heavens reverberated with 
the mighty crash and the people were 
stunned by the unexpected tragedy that 
followed. It was the most glaring and open 
attempt that could have been made and 
nothing short of a miracle would have en- 
abled them to escape. Instantaneously the 
three were arrested and put in chains; the 
delicate and elegant woman exhibiting more 
courage and defiance of the law than the 


124 


PHILIP HARUM, 


two men. She was evidently mad ; she had 
dared the vengeance of the government and 
now yielded without a murmur. Her crazed 
imagination made her glory in being a martyr 
to liberty, and the avenger of the death 
of her lover. 

They were summarily tried and hanged 
in spite of the threats of the Nihilistic 
society and the “ of the Peofle^ Fl3dng 
over the country at lightning speed Philip 
Harum was happily nearing the end of his 
journey ignorant of the panic that was 
raging in St. Petersburg, and the consternation 
and grief that had suddenly enshrouded 
the Palace and royal household. Death 
is always terrible; but when it comes 
suddenly and unexpectedly and by the hand 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


125 


of an assassin, it is shocking beyond des- 
cription — and the teachings of our child- 
hood have cast such a pall over the grim 
messenger that we can never welcome, its 
appearance with the calmness and placidity 
of other religions. The Turk will stand 
and view a funeral with face all wreathed 
in smiles, for it reminds him that he too 
will soon be with “Allah !” The Buddhist 
awaits with joy the day when he will die 
and go to “nirvana” — eternal rest. Even 
the savage Indian rejoices at the approach 
of death for the “great spirit” will take 
him to his happy hunting-ground ; but Christ- 
ians must ever shrink from the great “un- 
known” which will forever be a 


to them. 


126 


PHILIP HAEUM, 


roi est mort, vive le roi^ And 
Alexander III. lost no time in making a 
public example of the assassins of his 
father. They expiated their crime upon 
the gallows ip a very short time, also Sofia 
Petrovsky who asked to be executed with 
the others. She was brave and fearless to 
the last, and kept up the dramatic pageant 
even to the scaffold. Upon the morning 
of her execution, she begged her keeper 
to permit her maid to fetch her bridal 
robe and attire her for her execution and 
burial. 

Her wedding garments had been pre- 
paired for her early marriage, and the 
arrest of her lover and the sudden calamity 
which befell her no doubt demented her 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


127 


beyond restoration, and she received her 
death as a boon instead of a punishment. 
When she arrived at the scaffold arrayed 
in pure white satin with her bridal veil 
enveloping her fragile form, she looked 
out upon the vast crowd that had assembled 
to witness the solemn sacrifice and declaimed 
in a loud and musical voice — “Ah Liberty! 
Liberty ! what aspiration of the heart is 
more sacred than the love of liberty ? It 
is the one imperious demand of the human 
soul ; for that I am dying ; farewell my 
friends ! farewell my bleeding country ! I 
am going to my Father in Heaven and 
will soon be in the full fruition of all 
my hopes.” Then raising her rosary to 
her lips and kissing the crucifix with 


128 


PHILIP HARUM, 


reverence and devotion she adjusted the 
noose to her neck with her own fingers 
and drawing her veil closely around her 
face she died without a struggle. Thus 
ended one of, the most tragic dramas in 
the annals of the world and ushered in 
the reign of the new Emperor with gloom 
and distrust ; ' what wonder that every eye 
was suffused with tears and that the people 
clamored more vociferously for a constitu- 
tional government. The reign of Alexander 
III. which began with the first public 
execution of a woman for half a century 
was soon marked by signs of retrogression 
and declension and hence was a disappointment 
to the true friends of Russia, who hoped 
to see a wise and liberal administration 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


129 


follow that of Alexander 1 1, which was 
one of weakness and vacillation. 

In the happy home at Keif a friendly 
and hospitable greeting awaited Philip Harum ; 
the joyous surprise he gave them added 
greatly to their pleasure, and while the 
plenteous board was spread and the wassail 
bowl was passed around bringing good 
cheer to all, the great city which was 
but a few hours before basking in the 
sunshine of its holiday attire was now 
deeply clad in mourning ; every soul was 
touched by the sad catastrophe. The as- 
sassins had their friends who survived, 
broken hearted at the result which must 
follow. Sofia had none but her aged father 
to feel the blow and he had been long 


130 


PHILIP HARUM, 


a vicliiu to disease and at the announcement 
of the arrest of his only child he swooned 
a deadly swoon from which he never revived. . 
When told of her father’s death, “better 
so” — she stoically remarked — “than to live to 
see his daughter die ; we will meet in 
Heaven.” It took hut a few hours for the 
astounding news to reach Keif and the 
remote provinces, and while not surprising 
it was none the less shocking, and Philip 
Harum hastened back to his home not with- 
out some trepidation at the idea of an emeute 
in the Jewish quarter of the city. 


the nihilist student. 


131 


CHAPTER XVII. 

When Adina Zarinski heard of the as- 
sassination of the Czar she felt greatly re- 
lieved to think that Philip Harum had left 
the city. Always full of faith and a firm 
belief in the providence of the God of her 
fathers, she acknowledged the protecting care 
that seemed to have guided their course 
from the first dawning of their affection. 
She calmly awaited his return and busied 
herself with Leah’s assistance in preparing 
her wedding trousseau. Her father had 
given his consent to their marriage and 
bestowed upon them his blessing, believing 


132 


PHILIP HARUM, 


that hearts and not creeds should alone be 
consulted. Immediately upon his return 
Philip went to the home of the “money- 
lender.” He was hailed as usual with waiin 
familiarity. A subdued atmosphere surround- 
ed every place. The whole city was demoral- 
ized and everyone felt as though some 
fresh calamity was pending. Ezra Smo- 
lenski met Philip Harum the day he arrived ; 
there was an appearance of friendship, 
although he was cold and reticent he 
seemed to be brooding over something which 
was haunting his mind. The next day 
Philip was occupied until late at the Uni- 
versity and a. hazy twilight was already 
casting its shadow when he left the studio 
for his lodging. He was quickly arrested 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


133 


by a thickening mob and their hooting and 
yelling like madmen was horrible to hear. 
A poor misshapen man was the object of 
their contempt. They had knocked him 
down and were beating him mercilessly and 
crying “kill him, kill him, he is only a 
Jew.” Philip Harnm rushed in the crowd 
and rescuing the helpless creature, to his 
surprise he recognized the poor deformed 
peddler whom he had often seen perambula- 
ting the streets with his pack upon his 
back, as well as in the Hebrew quarter. 
“Are you men, or wild hyenas?” — cried 
Philip — “for shame to hunt down in such 
a manner an unoffending man either Jew 
or Gentile;” and lifting him up he assisted 
the poor fellow to a house near by and 


134 


PHILIP HAEUM 


ordered medical attention at once. Poor 
Mose’ soon revived under his tender care 
and fortunately was not so badly injured 
as was supposed. ‘‘Oh! Mr. Philip it was 
you I was looking for and if I am going 
to die let me tell you my object; let me 
speak privately to you alone. Tomorrow 
Ezra Smolensk! is going to inform upon 
you as an accomplice of the assassins of 
the Czar. The only clew he has is the 
fact that you were seen at Sofia Petrovsky’s 
house the night before the assassination of 
of the Czar ; you remember you met me 
as you were coming out, and I, without 
thinking for a moment about it, happened 
to mention to him when I went home that 
I had seen you and how good you were 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


135 


to speak so kind to me. He has since 
worked that up and told me today that he 
would inform on you tomorrow, and I would 
have to swear that I saw you coming from 
the house 'of Sofia Petrovsky the night be- 
fore the Czar was killed and that I saw 
the other two conspirators go in immediately 
after you left. I was standing near the 
University tonight hoping to see you come 
out and I thought if I could forewarn 3mu 
it might help you to save yourself, and — ” 
just then a furious cry was heard — “to 
the Jew’s quarter, to the Jews quarter,” 
and Philip Harum rushed out telling Mose’ 
to stay there and keep quiet until he returned. 
He quickly ordered the police to advance 
rapidly to Ephraim Avenue in the Hebrew 


136 


PHILIP HAKUM, 


quarter and hastening with all the speed 
he could he soon arrived at the house of 
the “money-lender.” But the fiends had 
reached there before him, and he found al- 
most every house in flames. 

The mob had rushed madly on, scatter- 
ing death and devastation in their way ; 
several were killed in the defence of their 
home, and of the frightened women and 
children, and strange to say Ezra Smolensk! 
was one of the first to fall while defending 
liis property from the vile intruders. It is 
not often that we see retribution follow so 

closely upon the heels of the evil-doer but 

¥ 

the death of Ezra Smolenski changed the 
destiny of Philip Harum and saved him 
from being unjustly exiled to Siberia, 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


137 


There is nothing more terrifying than fire, 
and to see a whole hamlet burning with- 
out the slightest hope of checking it is painful 
to behold. The. flames were swirling to 
and fro, high up in the air they shot 
forth their forked tongues with all the 
venom of a fiery serpent that possessed life 
and power for evil. The sacred Temple, 
the love and admiration of the people, 
was a sheet of fire. The “Shekina” that 
dwelt above the “Mercy-Seat,” was sacri- 
legiously destroyed by the devouring flames, 
and as they crepitated and swirled from 
house to house it looked like some fiend 
incarnate bent upon death and destruction. 
Philip found Adina falling from one fainting 
fit to another, for her father had been seri- 


138 


PHILIP HAKUM. 


ously hurt and the shock had completely 
unnerved her delicate frame. Leah supported 
her with great equanimity and with Philip’s 
strong and loving arm she soon revived. 
Isaac Zarinski was in the act of defending 
his home when he was knocked down and 
trampled upon, until his money-drawers and 
safe were rifled of their contents, which for- 
tunately were nearly empty as he always 
took the precaution to carry his gems and 
money up to his private apartments, and 
before they had time to pursue their search, 
the arrival of Philip and the police prevented 
the accomplishment of their wicked designs. 
The money-lender’s house stood alone in a 
quiet little spot so far away from the others 
that it escaped the flames that would other- 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


139 


vise have destroyed it. 

Melancholy and heart-broken the good 
Kabhi Ben Israel flitted around alleviating 
the sufferers and providing a resting place 
for those who were rendered homeless. He 
took care of the remains of Ezra Smolenski 
and attended to the burial of all the poor 
creatures that had fallen victims to the 
ruthless rabble. Philip remained all night 
going from place to place and also seeing 
that the family of the good Kabbi was 
cheered in the little cottage away from all 
danger. When the dawn appeared there 
was nothing left of the pretty homes of the 
desolate Hebrews but a smouldering ruin. 
As soon as the dead bodies were properly 
buried according to the Jewish rites, the 


140 


PHILIP HARUM. 


Rabbi, who had taught and known Rachel 
Smolensld from her childhood, kindly felt 
it his duty to go to Berlin and break to 
her as delicately as possible the doleful mis- 
fortune that had befallen her. 

He found her gay and happy ; success 
had rendered her more beautiful than ever, 
and the kind patronage of the Baroness and 
the devotion of the young Count assisted 
him to better explain the sad finale of all 
their hopes in the “Jewish quarter’ of 
St. Petersburg. Ray listened with stoical 
silence to the recital of their story, then 
succumbed to the most frantic grief as she 
realized the death of her beloved brother. 
“Ah, didn’t I have a warning ! why did 
I leave my dear brother to seek fame and 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


141 


honors I should not have coveted? I knew 
my inner-sight was not deceiving me when 
I almost foresaw the events which have 
transpired, and yet I was lulled to rest by 
the happiness that encircled me ; I shall never 
return to the home of my childhood, I 
felt truly when I left that I would never 
see it again.” The Baroness and her nephew 
did all that the most lovjng friends could 
to pacify the turbulence of her grief. She 
resolved to quit the stage, to cancel her 
engagements, and to live the life of a devotee 
to the memory of her brother. After a few 
days* when the violence of her feelings had 
somewhat been assuaged, her lover with 
feelings of the deepest sympathy begged that 
she would give her consent and ere the 


142 


PHILIP HARUM, 


departure of the friend and reverend coun- 
sellor of her childhood — the good Rabbi 
Ben Israel — permit him to perform the 
solemn ceremony which would give him the 
right of sustaining her with his love through 
the dejected and sorrowful days which for 
some time must follow ; and in the solitude 
of her dimly lighted boudoir with .no wit- 
nesses but the family and a few intimate 
friends the evening before the departure of 
the good Rabbi he performed the sacred 
rite which united two devoted hearts “for 
better or for worse, for weal or woe.” 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


143 


•CHAPTER XVIIL 

At the meeting of the Assembly the 
next evening after the mob, Philip Harum 
was wild with exeitment : “My friends you 
may eall me a skeptic, an agnostic, a 
nihilist or what you choose, but I must 
abjure the faith of my fathers. I am thank- 
ful that my father — peace be to his memory- 
— does not live to witness the scenes that 
have been enacted during the last twenty- 
four hours. It is true that he possessed a 
gloomy faith, but it was owing to his false 
teaching, which, thank Heaven was tempered 
by the nobility of his soul. The natural 


PHILIP HA RUM, 


lU 

religion he inherited from his Creator saved 
him, in a measure from the erroneous theol- 
ogy he espoused ; but had he lived today 
he would denounce, as I do, the wickedness 
and intolerance that hunted down an inno- 
cent man — only because he was a Jew — and 
would wilfully have murdered him. It has 
only had a parallel in the Eonian Mob” 
that hooted in the streets of Jerusalem 
eighteen hundred years ago, ‘ ‘crucify him, 
crucify him, he is a Jew and creating 
sedition.” 

That lovely hamlet that is now 
smouldering in its ashes was inhabited by 
an industrious, intelligent and unoffending 
people. They were obedient to “the laws 
that be,” and no nihilist or political 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


145 


rebel dared express sentiments of treason 
within its quiet precincts. 

“My friends, tonight I bid you a sorrow- 
ful farewell. I am going to expatriate 
myself and seek an asylum in some more 
human, and civilized land where the bigotry 
and prejudice of a half barbarous, half 
civilized people towards an unoffending race 
would never be tolerated. I will seek some 
far off land where the sun shines for 
all, where God’s broad acres will not be 
withheld from any race or creed or people, 
and where the blood of one hundred thous- 
and murdered Jews, and the millions of 
stolen rubles will not be forever crying 
to Heaven for vengeance. I tell you my 
friends that the teachings of ‘Mahomet’ 


14G 


PHILIP II ARUM 


with the Koran in one hand and the 
sword in the other were more merciful 
and tolerant than ‘Christian Russia.’^ It 
is for the protection of those I love that 
I am going ; for myself alone I would 
willingly become a martyr and die upon the 
altar of my unhappy country. I would 
give forty lives if I possessed them to see 
Russia a free and constitutional government, 
where liberty of conscience, and the rights 
of man were tolerated. I am not a Jew 
but if I were I would be proud of it. 
The Jews have a right to feel that the 
God of their fathers has taken care of his 
chosen people in the time of their dispersion 
and misery. 

I have wandered through the mazes of 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


147 


the Talmud and culled flowers sparkling 
with the very dew of Eden. Figures in 
shining garments haunt its recesses. Prayers 
of deep devotion, sublime confidence and 
noble benediction echo in its ancient tongue, 
and sentiments of lofty courage, of high 
resolve, of infantile tenderness and far-seeing 
prudence fall from the lips of venerable 
sages. In the history of the Origin of 
Christianity, the Talmud has hitherto been 
far too much neglected.” At the close of 
the address of Philip Harum a solemn silence 
prevailed and every heart-pulse beat a re- 
quiem. It was delivered in such dulcet tones 
and in language so mellifulous that it sounded 
like a “threnody” for departed hopes and 
buried aspirations. Then as if in accord^ 


148 


PHILIP HARUM, 


the whole assembly arose, giving one long 
loud cheer for Philip Harum, while he quickly 
stole away, completely overcome by the 
occasion which had prompted his last fare- 
well. 



THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


149 


CHAPTER XIX. 

The next day when Philip Hamm re- 
turned to look after poor “Mose’ the peddler” 
he found him sitting up in an easy-chair 
and pronounced out of danger. It was at 
first feared that he had received internal 
injuries ; but upon examination he had only 
been maliciously beaten without any serious 
consequences. Poor fellow ! when he learned 
of the conflagration and destruction of their 
homes and of the death of Ezra Smolenski 
he w^ept like a child. ‘ ‘"VVhat will I do ? he 
was good and kind to me ; there I had a 
home. An’ if he did w^ant me to appear agin 


150 


PHILIP IIARUM, 


you Mister Philip I wasn’t going to do it, 
an’ I thought I could save you by tellin” 
you about it. Poor Mister Ezra !” The 
simple hearted peddler could not fathom 
the crime of the man who had been kind 
to him, and he lamented his death and 
rejoiced over the rescue of his friend Philip 
in the same breath, not having the penetration 
to see that it was the untimely end of 
Ezra Smolensk! that saved Philip Harum. 

“Mose’ you will go with me ; you came 
near losing your life by trying to do me 
a favor and henceforth I shall care for you. 
Isaac Zarinski will give you a home for 
the present, and you will continue to be my 
body-guard. ’ ’ All was excitement in the 
Hebrew quarter ; a general exodus had been 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


151 


planned by Rabbi Ben Israel and Isaac 
Zarinski. 

The wedding of Adina and Philip Harum 
was to take place in a few days, and then 
all would set out to make new homes in 
free America or hospitable England. The 
morning of the wedding Leah and several 
of her friends drove over to the mountain 
to gather those pretty little flowers, the 
‘.‘Edelweiss” which blooms all the winter 
beneath the snow. 

Her father had presented her with a 
tiara of diamonds which he had bought 
long ago as a wedding gift ; but Adina 
requested him to let her appear in no 
gems on this sacred occasion, but allow 
her to -wear only the lovely “Edelweiss” 


152 


PHILIP HARUM, 


in her bridal veil. Philip Harum was a 
splendid specimen of an elegant, handsome 
Russian ; tall, with light hair, large blue 
eyes and fresh complexion, and by the side 
of his dainty little bride, whose raven 
curls and sparkling black eyes — a perfect 
type of Jewish beauty — was a beautiful 
contrast, and they made as handsome a 
couple as ever took the marriage vows, 
and ‘‘hearts not creeds” had sealed their 
union. That night in her little parlor 
concealed by a tapestry from the suite of 
apartments appropriated to family use, the 
wedding ceremony was performed. A can- 
opy supported by four of her young male 
friends was held over the bride and groom 
as they stood with their face towards the 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


1.53 


East. A silver salver lay at their feet, 
and opposite stood the Eabbi Ben 
Israel with a richly hound volume in his 
hand. It was open and displayed letters 
and words of an unusual form and sound. 
Another friend stood near holding a goblet 
of sacred wine and still another was given 
a slight and thin Venetian glass. After a 

brief and solemn pause the Rabbi read or 
rather chanted from the book he held joined 
in parts by those around, then he tasted 

the sacred wine and passed it to the bride 
and groom. Adina’s veil was raised for 

her to touch the goblet with her lips now 
quivering with emotion. Philip, with perfect 
self-control lifted the goblet to his lips ; 
then taking the Venetian glass from the 


154 


PHILIP HARUM 


hand of his friend he broke it on the salver 
at his feet and the strange and solemn rites 
were concluded. The good Rabbi lifted up 
his hands and prayed — “God of the friendless 
and homeless have mercy on these Thy ser- 
vants joined together in Thy holy name to 
share the lot on earth Thy will assigns them 
with one heart and mind. In the land of 
the stranger, be Thou their shield, and save 
them for thy holy name.” It was some 
moments before the excited few that were 
present could give their congratulations — 
after which Philip with his arm around Adina* 
turned to Zarinski and said, “Father give us 
thy blessing.” 

“Love has conquered faith,’ and whither 
thou goest I will go ; thy God shall be my 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


165 


God ; thy people shall be my people ; where 
thou livest I will live ; where thou diest 
I will die, and there will I be buried.” 


156 


PHILIP IIARUM, 


CHAPTER XX. 

The next day after the wedding found the 
remnant of the unfortunate Jews making 
ready to depart from the scenes of sorroAV 
and devastation that had so suddenly fell 
upon them. All the hopes and joys of the 
past, the happy days they had spent in 
the little hamlet, where domestic bliss had 
shed its radience around them had fled 
like a dream — a sweet vision of the past. 
Although the spring was far advanced the 
gloom of the season seemed to sympathize 
with the fortunes of the people. The country 
had not yet recovered from the shock of the 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


157 


assassination of the Czar, and now that 
quiet little nook where love and harmony 
had ever dwelt was mowed down and lying 
a smouldering ruin ; nothing but brave and 
pure hearts, and braver hands could have 
arisen Phoenix-like from the moral and 
financial ruin that seemed to await them. 
Isaac Zarinski, happy in the happiness of 
his child, and wdth characteristic sympathy 
for his race, spared neither pains nor 
money to alleviate his 'suffering neighbors, 
many of whom had lost everything they 
possessed in the fatal fire. 

Far off in Berlin was one sad and stricken 
heart that was only aroused from her lethergy 
by accounts of her destitute people, and 
Ray Smolensk!, now' the Countess Lilienthal 


158 


PHILIP HARUM, 


exerted herself in their behalf. 

When the good Rabbi Ben Israel returned 
after his visit of sympathy to his old favorite 
Countess of Lilienthal he was commissioned 
by the Count and Baroness Rosenthal to 
draw upon them for the necessary funds, so 
much needed to advance the exodus of their 
ruined people. 

Thus adding another instance of the fellow- 
feeling and humanity of the Jewish race. 
The day of their departure quickly arrived 
and the sad farewells and partings of many 
that had been the founders of that little 
colony when in other days as painful and 
disasterous, they had been exiled from 
their home and inheritance in Poland. The 
refugees had determined upon different careers. 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


159 


Some were banded together determined to 
brave the dark Atlantic and seek an asylum 
in that friendly land where over two hundred 
years before another band of “exiles moored 
their bark on the wild New England shore” 
Philip Harum and Isaac Zarinski, accompa- 
nied by the family of Rabbi Ben Israel had 
settled upon hospitable England where Philip 
hoped to join the patriotic Herzen and aid 
as far as possible the progress of the “Will 
of the people.” 


160 


PHILIP HARUM, 


CHAPTER XXL 

In the kaleidoscope of events that had so 
rapidly advanced, Philp Harum had not devoted 
the thought and interest he would otherwise 
have done to his friend and kinswoman, Anna 
Lavinsky. 

In her beautiful home at Keif, sur- 
rounded by all the luxuries that an ample 
fortune could produce, her heart was bleed- 
ing for her degraded countryman, and for 
the unmerciful treatment constantly thrust 
upon the Jewish race. If there had been 
one single excuse, one extenuating cir- 
cumstance for the inhuman and unchristian 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT, 


161 


brutality towards them, a loyal nation would 
have vindicated its government, but no 
it was only the ebullition of half civilized 
instincts exaggerated by religious bigotry. 
And when she learned of the utter des- 
truction of the pretty little hamlet in the sub- 
urbs of St. Petersburg her heart ached for 
the sorrow that she was well assured had 
fallen upon her cousin whose manly sympathies 
were always with suffering humanity and 
now whose personal interests were so nearly 
allied to that persecuted people. She was 
anxiously awaiting some news giving her an 
account of their final destination, but as 
everything was under the espionage of the 

police nothing but the greatest prudence 

! 

could prevent even innocent women from 


162 


PHILIP HARUM, 


being dragged from their, -firesides to a 
tribunal of investigation. Thus Philip through 
love for his eonsin and devotion to his 
country, was obliged to leave his native 
land and seek a stranger’s home with only 
a faint farewell containing a whole history 
“between the lines” which every one in that 
unhappy land had too truly learned to 
read. 

The morning the weary wanderers de- 
parted from the docks at St. Petersburg 
was misty and obscure ; though the sky was 
free from clouds there was a silvery haze 
that rendered the city spires and tall buildings 
wierd, always reminding one of stern sentinels 
guarding the very souls of men. 

The atmospheric condition was such as 


THE NIHILIST STUDENT. 


163 


produce those gastly effects known as 
mirages. Partial or limited mirages are not 
uncommon in Russia and often the roofs 
and spires are lifted above the horizon 
giving the whole picture a weird and un- 
canny look. At such a time with every 
heart filled with gloomy forebodings it would 
have been strange indeed if romance and a 
sentimentel sadness had not held its sway. 
Under such circumstances and looking back 
at the world’s history and contemplating 
the unwarrented persecutions of the Jews in 
the nineteenth century it does seem that 
God has sifted the nations of the earth that 
He might send choice grain out into the 
wilderness. 

The morning that Philip Harum and his 


164 


PHILIP HAEUM 


party reached London was unusually clear and 
bright ; it seemed as if they had left the fog 
and smoke of that great city hovering over 
St. Petersburg in sympathy with the gloom 
that overshadowed them at their departure 
from the home of their childhood. Their 
hearts were made lighter, they felt more buoy- 
ant, and hope spreading her wings once more 
cast an influence over their feelings that they 
scarcely had expected. 

“Ah!” said Philip Harum, “the world is so 
full of such beautiful things I’m sure we 
shall all be as happy as kings.” 

He lost no time in seeking the where-a- 
bouts of his old friend Herzen and immedi- 
ately established himself in the interest of 
the ^‘Will of the people,” believing with 


XHK ^’lHILliT STUDENT. 


165 


Aristotle that neither the evening nor the 
morning star is more beautiful than justice- 










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